Stone-drilling engine



G. H. GILMAN; sToN'E Damme ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 20 I9I2. IIENEWED .IULY 9, 1919.

Patented June 28, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE H. GILMAN, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHU- SETTS, A. CORPORATION OE MASSACHUSETTS.

STONE-DRILLING ENGINE.

Application filed March 20, 1912, Serial No. 684,968. Renewed July 9, 1919.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. GILMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Claremont, county of Sullivan, State of New Hampshire, (whose post-office address is Claremont, New Hampshire,) have invented an Improvement in Stone-Drilling Engines, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

`This invention relates to rock drills, and more particularly to improved means for injecting either water or gaseous pressure fluid, or both, to the bottom of the drilled hole to wash out or expel therefrom the pulverized stone and debris which has been displaced by the drill bit.

One object of the invention is to provide a device `wherein gaseous pressure fluid other than the cylinder-actuating Huid may be supplied to the drilled hole, either alone or together with water, from a suitable source of pressure-fluid supply which may be either the same as or different from the source of supply for the drilling engine. By taking the supply of gaseous pressure fluid from a source other than the actuating fluid of the cylinder, a constant supply of high pressure fluid is always available for application to the drilled hole and the quantity of pressure fluid thus fed may, if desired, be regulated quite apart from and independently of the operation of the engine.

f When used jointly with a stream of water the gaseous pressure fluid and the water may be mixed or intermingled outside of the engine cylinder and the proportionate quantity of each regulated or varied exactly as required and `also apart from and independcntly of the action of the engine and without in any way diminishing the efficiency of the engine or the drill.

In the illustrated form of the invention `thc water or gaseous fluid, or both, are delivered to a hollow or axially perforated drill` bit by means of an axially arranged liuid supply tube, which in and of itself is an old `and common expedient in rock drilling engines. Instead of employing a tube vfixed Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 28, 1921.

serial No. 309,765.

with respect either to the piston or the cylinder, as has been usual in this class of apparatus, I preferably make use of a tube which is movable relatively both to the cylinder and piston and which is held to a seat upon the drill bit, striking pin or other member to which it may be applied, preferably by means of water or other fluid pressure, thereby leaving the tube free to follow the movement of the drill bit, striking pin or other member and to maintain the integrity of the fluid passage therethrough and automatically maintain a sealed joint thereat.

This and other features of the invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of onel specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal central section showing a hammer drill embodying one form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional detail on a larger scale sho-wing the joint between the fluid tube and the shank of the drill bit;

Fig. 3 is a similar sectional detail showing the iiuid receiving end of the supply tube and its relation to the cylinder; and

Fig. 4: is an end view of thel drilling engine shown in Fig. 1. i

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view, taken substantially on the same plane as Figs. l and 3, showing a slight modification.

Referring to the drawings for illustration, I have shown my invention as embodied in a rock drill of the indirect or hammer type having a cylinder .l mounted upon the usual shell 2 and adapted to be fed toward or from the work thereon by means of the nut 3, feed screw i and handle 5. lVithin the cylinder there is contained the hammer piston 6 having the contracted plunger 7 at the forward end adapted topass through the contracted forward end of the cylinder and to deliver a hammer blow against the head or shank of the drill bit 8.

The latter is herein shown as comprising a piece of hexagonal steel having the cutting edge 9 and provided with the axial passage 10 extending from end to end. The drill bit is held against rotative movement, but longitudinally movable within the bushing 11 ixedly carried by the rotatable sleeve 12, the shoulder 40 on the drill bit normally resting against the end of the bushing. Any suitable means either` manual or automatic may be employed for rotating the tool. Herein there is shown an automatic rotating device, the sleeve 12 being rotated by the reciprocatory movement of the piston. Any suitable mechanism may be used for this purpose, but herein I have shown a device similar to that shown in my Patent No. 1,034,010, datedJuly 30, 1912. Herein the plunger end 7 of the piston is provided with a plurality of straight grooves 13 and a plurality of helical grooves 14. The straight grooves are engaged by keys or teeth 15 upon the sleeve 12 or upon a member 16 secured to said sleeve, thereby rotatively joining the hammer piston and the drill bit. The helical grooves 14 are engaged by similarly shaped teeth or keys upon an annular ratchet member 16, the latter being provided with external teeth 17 so controlled by the friction rollers 18 that the ratchet is permitted to turn in one direcion butyis locked against rotative movement .in the opposite direction. The reciprocatory movement of the piston therefore is accompanied by a step by step rotative movement thereof which in turn causes thestep by step rota.- tive movement of the tool.

The movements of the piston hammer are herein controlled by a pressure actuated valve 19. This may be of any suitable form, but herein I have shown a valve of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 1,095,848, dated May 5, 1914. This is annular or shell like in form, as represented in Fig. 3, and is located preferably at the rearY of and in line with the piston, a rear projecting portion 20 on which is adapted to enter the valve and partly close the same on the back stroke of the piston hammer.

The valve controls the admission of pressure fluid to opposite ends of the cylinder from the pressure supply space 21 as well as the exhaust from opposite ends ofthe cylinder through the exhaust outlet 22. Steam or other gaseous pressure fluid of any suitable form, but preferably compressed air, is supplied to the supply space 21 by any suitable means, such as the flexible pipe 23 and the coupling 24, under the control of the throttle valve 25.

To supply the hollow drill bit with water, Y

the passage in the bit. The piston hammer reciprocates upon the tube with a sliding fit and preferably so that noV pressure fluid, or any substantial amount thereof, can pass from the cylinder chamber to the space in front of the piston plunger 7 andv at the back of the drill bit shank.

The rear portion of the tube projects axially through the annular valve 19 and through the back of the valve plate 2S and the packing 29 intol a chamber 30 formed in the headblock 31 of the tool. Hthin the chamber 30 the end of the tube has attached thereto, either by brazing or by any other suitable means, a sleeve 32 forming a piston-like head, the end of which is subjected to the pressure at the end of the chamber which tends to press the tube piston forward. Into the rear end o-f 'the chamber there is inserted a nipple 33 or any other suitable attachment for introducing water or other fluid into the chamber'30, such water being herein fed thereto under pressure from any suitable source by means of the flexible pipe 34 under the control of an ordinary hose line valve Surrounding the sleeve 32 the chamber 31 is provided with an enlargement orvgroove 36 which is adapted to communicate at all times with the interior passage in the tube by means of the lateral openings 37 in the tube andi sleeve. vThe said groove also communicates through the passage 3S with the supply 'chamber 21 so that gaseous fluid under pressure may be admitted directly from the pressure Vfluid supply to the interior of the tube.

During the operation of the tool, water may be admitted in varying quantities, which may be regulated at will, through the hose line 34 to the rear of the chamber 30 and, passing centrally through the supply tube 26, is united with the live air or other pressure fluid which enters the tube through the passages l37 from the supply space 21. The passages 37 are preferably forwardly inclined, as shown, so as to provide for a siphoning or ejector action, andthe gaseous fluid and water passing downwardly through the tube are delivered to the bottom of the drilled hole through the hollow drill steel. y Y As the hammer piston continues to strike the shank lof the drill bit the latter is subjected to more or less vibration and longitudinalvmovement, which tends to open the joint between the end of the tube and the drill steel. The disclosed arrangement-is such, however, that as the drill steel moves,

the tube automatically follows such movement and maintains its seat thereagainst under the pressure of air or water or. the combined pressure of both in the end of. the chamber 30, thus automatically maintaining under all conditions of use a sealed joint, and preventing the escape of waterat the plying fluid to the drill bit, 'said tube being to a seat against said member.

may be separately regulated by the interposition of a regulating valve 41 (Fig. 5) between the supply space 21 and the groove '36, but the relative proportions of air and water for ordinary purposes may be controlled by controlling the water valve 35.

It'will be seen, however, that the pressure fluid admitted to the tube is taken from the source of supply independent of the cylinder chamber and without affectingin any wise the operation of the tool or rendering its operation lessellicient.

It will be Observed that by unscrewing the nipple 33 the piston 32 and tube 26 may be withdrawn through the rear of the headblock for purposes of repairv or otherwise without removing said headblockl or other- `wise disassembling the apparatus.

While I have herein shown and' described for purposes of illustration one specific form .of the invention, it is to be understood that `the same is submitted for illustrative" purposes only and that extensive deviations may be made therefrom without departing from vthe spirit thereof.

Claims.. j y l 1. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of a piston hammer therein, a longitudinally movable drill bit adapted to be supported insaidcylinder, .and a fluid supply tube connected to the cylinder for supmovable relatively both to the cylinder and the piston to follow the movement of said bit.

y2. In a rockv drill, the combination with va cylinder, of a hammer piston, a hollow drill bit loosely held at the end of the cylinder, a fluid, supply tube passing axially through rsaid piston and conducting cleansing fluid for said bit, and means for automatically seating the end of said tube against said drill bit irrespective of the movement of the fbit.

3. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, ofa hammer. piston, a member adapted to be struck byfsaidpisto'n having" aV fluid supply passagej extending therethrough, a fluid supply tube in line with said member and passing through the piston, and means for` automatically pressing said tube `ried by said cylinder for movably support- 1ing said tube. j

5.*In'` a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of a hammer piston, a member 'at the forward end of said cylinder having an axial fluid supply passage, a fluid supply tube having a jointed connection with said member andpassing through the piston, and means having provision for supplying lfluid pressure against said tube for sealing the joint.

6. In arock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of a hammer piston, a member at the forward end of said cylinder having an axial water supply passage, a water supply tube having a jointed connection with said member and passing through the piston, and means having provision for supplying water pressure against said' tube forsealing said joint.

7. In arock drill, the' combination with a cylinder, of a hammer piston, a hollow drill bit, and a water supply tube for supplying waterV to said bit slidably mounted in the cylinder and passing Athrough the piston. 8. In a rock drill, the combinationwith a cylinder, of a hammer piston, a hollow drill bit, said cylinder having a chamber at the rear end, and aV fluid supply tube for conducting cleaning fluid to said bit passing axially through said piston and having an chamber.

9. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, 'a hammer piston, and hollow drill bit, of a fluid supply tube connected to the cylinder, means for, supplying water to said tube, said tube having one or more lateral passages, and means for diverting livefluid pressure to said passages. j

10, In a rock drill, the combination with Va cylinder, of a' piston hammer therein, a

hollow drill bit, and a fluid supply tube'for supplying fluid to the drill bit, said tube being connected to the cylinder and pro-- jecting through the'pistonaand located to deliver fluid -to the passage in the drill bit and said tube being movable relatively to the piston and cylinder to permit its seating 1 1. In ahrock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of apiston having an axial passage therethrough, a hollow drill bit, a fluid supply ,tube connected to the cylinder and passing axially through the piston and locatedto deliver fluid to the drill bit, a source of pressure-actuating fluid for the drill, a

vchamber in the rear of said Cylinder into which the end of the fluid supply tube extends,` and a source of water supply connected to said tube thereat, said tube having also independent connections to the pressure fluid supply for the drill.

12. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of an axially apert'uredV hammer piston, a hollow drill bit, cleansing fluid GOl supply means for said drill bit including a member movable yaxially in said piston, and means for moving said member in said piston.

' 13. In a. rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of an axially apertured hammer piston, a hollow drill bit, cleansing fluid supply means for said drill -bit including a member movable axially in said piston, and fluid operated means for moving said member in said piston.

14. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of an axially apertured hammer piston, a hollow drill bit, cleansing fluid supply means for said drill bit including a member movable axially in said piston,v and means including a cylinder and piston for moving said member in said hammer piston.

l5. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of an axially apertured hammer piston, a hollowdrill bit, cleansing fluid supply means for said drillAbit including a member movable axially in said piston, and means including a piston on said member and a coperating cylinder for moving said member.

16. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of a hammer piston having an axial opening therein, a hollow dri'llbit, cleansing fluid supply-means for said drill bit including a member movable axially in said piston, means for moving said member in said piston, and means whereby said member may be withdrawn through the rear end of said cylinder.

17. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, Vof a hammer piston having an axial opening therein, a hollow drill bit, cleansing fluid supply means for said drill bit including a member movable axially in said piston, means including Ia piston on said member for so moving said member, and means whereby said member and the piston thereon may be withdrawn through the rear end of said cylinder.

18. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of an axially apertured hammer piston therein, 'a hollow drill bit, cleansing fluid supply means for said drill bit including a member movable longitudinally in the axial aperture in said piston, a head block having an aperture therein disposed coaxially with the aperture in said piston and into which said member extends, and means for moving said member longitudinally.

19. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, of an axially apertured hammer piston therein, a hollow drill bit, cleaning fluid' supply means for said drill` bit ineluding a member movable longitudinally in the axial aperture in said piston, a head block having an aperture therein disposed coaxially with the aperture in said piston and in which said member extends, and means including a piston and cylinder disposed inv :said head block for moving said member 21. In a rock drin, the Combination wat a cylinder, of a hammer piston having an axial aperture therein, a hollow drill bit, cleansing fluid supply means for said drill bit including ay member-movable longitudinally in said axial aperture, means including a supplemental cylinder and piston for moving said member longitudinally, and

vmeans including a manually controlled valve for varying the pressure on said last mentioned piston.

22. In a. rock drill, in combination, a cylinder, an axially apertured hammer piston therein, a hollow drill bit, aV cleansing fluid supply tube extending axiallyy through said piston and communicating at its forward end with said drill bit, valve` controlled means for supplying pressure fluid to said supply tube and also to saidl cylinder, and an auxiliary valve for controlling theflow of fluid to said supply tube independently of the flow thereof to said cylinder.

23. In a rock drill, the combination with a cylinder, a piston therein and a tool to be actuated by said piston, of fluid supply means for said tool and fluid distribution means for said cylinder comprising members one of which lies within the periphery of the otherand each of which is relatively movable with respect to the other.

24.- 'In a rock drill, the Icombination with a cylinder, a piston therein and a tool to be actuated by said piston, of fluid supply means for said tool and fluid distribution means for said cylinder` comprising members one of which lies within the periphery of the other and is relatively movable with respect thereto.

25. In a rock drill', in combination, means for detachably holding a drill steel, means for hammering thereon, means for supplying cleansing fluid to said steely comprising a tube anda support therefor permitting said tube to be moved rearwardly when engaged by the steel upon insertion of the latter in the holding means therefor.

26. A rock drill comprising, in combination, a cylinder, a hammerpistoma hollow drill bit, a fluid supply-tubey passing longitudinally through said hammer piston, means for limiting the movement of said drill bit toward said hammer, said fluid supply tube being adapted to be moved forsol wardiy to a position in which its forward end is at a point in advance of the rear end of said bit when the latter is in its position nearest said hammer, and means for mounting said supply tube whereby it may be moved bodily rearwardly when engaged by said bit.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE H. GILMAN.

Witnesses:

CHAs. J. JONES, IRENE KELLEY. 

